c/o Positively Splendid

If you have more or fewer kiddos, you’ll have to adjust the layout of your collage accordingly. Fortunately, Picasa gives you plenty of options for doing just that!

I have made one of these for Mr. Splendid, and one for each of our dads from the kiddos. I love that this was such a quick and easy project, but that it is one that has such sentimental value. I think everyone will love it!

If you are interested in putting together one (or a few!) of these collages, they have created two different sets of the “We {heart} You” files, in both vertical and horizontal orientations depending upon your needs, which you can download for free. I hope you’ll find the name your kids call the special guy in your life below.

These files were created for an optimal printing size of 5×7. If the collage idea isn’t for you, another terrific option would be to frame the printable on its own, and then display the framed photos of your kiddos alongside it. What a darling mantel display that would make!

Click on the thumbnails below to be taken directly to the page where you can download each image. 

     

     

     

         

One 10 oz can condensed Cream of Broccoli soup (or mushroom), low-sodium if you prefer (*see note for gluten free)

1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise (original called for 1 full cup. WOW.)

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/4 cups reduced fat shredded cheese (cheddar, colby-jack, etc)

1/2 teaspoon Splenda/sugar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dash freshly grated nutmeg

.
2 cups cooked broccoli

1 1/2 cups  COOKED quinoa (see note)

Feshly grated Parmesan cheese

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To cook quinoa:

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 teaspoon salt

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Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve until water runs clear.  In a small saucepan combine the quinoa, water, and salt.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low and cover.  Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until fluffy and the white ring/tail is visible.  Fluff with a fork.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a shallow (8×8 in or 5-6 cups) casserole dish – or individual ramekins – with vegetable cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, Splenda, pepper, and nutmeg until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa and broccoli.
Spoon mixture into prepared casserole.  Sprinkle on a couple tablespoons of Parmesan and bake for 35-40 minutes (20-25 minutes for ramekins) or until bubbly on the edges and golden.  Makes 8 generous 1/2-cup servings.

Per Serving: Calories 199,  Protein 10 g; Fat 9 g; NET Carbs 14 g; Fiber 2 g; Sugar 1 g; Sodium 297 mg

*NOTE FOR GLUTEN FREE…Progresso makes a Creamy Mushroom Soup that is gluten free…or  here is a recipe for a Cream of Anything Soup.  Haven’t tried it, (a comment-er  below did and loved it…) but it’s been a big hit on a Celiac/Gluten Free forum.)

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Condensed “Cream of Anything” Soup

1 cup cold milk
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Instructions
In a small saucepan, whisk milk and cornstarch till well blended.
Stir in butter, bouillon, salt, and pepper.
Heat to a boil, stirring frequently. Simmer on low for one minute more to thicken.
Use in recipes to replace one can of cream of anything soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP:
Stir in a drained 4 ounce can of mushroom pieces to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Mushroom Soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP:
Stir in 1/2 cup cooked chicken pieces to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Chicken Soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF CELERY SOUP
Stir in 1/2 cup sautéed chopped celery to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Celery Soup.

C/O Savor Home here is what you will need!

4 tablespoons of flour

4 tablespoons of sugar

3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons of skim milk- yep skim milk

1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and pour the batter into a normal-sized coffee mug.

Now, here is where it gets tricky… The consistency of the cake should be cakey AND gooey. To get this consistency, it will take anywhere from 50 seconds to 1 minute and 15 seconds. It all depends on your microwave! I made it in two different microwaves over the weekend. It cooked in 50 seconds in my parents microwave. It cooked in 60 seconds in my microwave. My advice is to start with 50 seconds, then check the consistency. If it is too gooey for your taste, then cook it another 10 seconds.

Also, be sure to have your spoon and a side of ice cream and/or whipped cream ready to go as soon as it’s done! It continues to cook in the mug after it’s done, so it tends to get dry as it sits. No good…

For the teacher who needs a cup of Joe to get the day a-go!

These three are all great ideas from eighteen25

A teacher who loves their summers!

c/o lisa storms

And this one is my personal favorite!

c/o domesticatedlady

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c/o Mom Finds

It is with much sorrow that I report Adam “MCA” Yauch, a member of the seminal hip-hop trio the Beastie Boys,at  47 years old lost a hard fought battle with cancer on Friday. He is survived by his wife, Dechen Wengdu, and their daughter, Losel.  A legend in his own right, he will be missed.

c/o EW

Author of Where the Wild Things Are, Marice Sendak, has died at 83.Sendak passed Tuesday in Danbury, Conn., after suffering a stroke on Friday. Another great who will be be deeply missed.

c/o Eonline

Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio and fiancé, Jamie Mazur are the proud parents of a baby boy.  Ambrosio gave birth Monday.

c/o Eonline

C/O Pioneer Woman via Plain Chicken

A few weeks ago, I saw The Pioneer Woman make another lemon pasta dish and I immediately thought “Yuck! Lemon & Pasta sounds nasty!” BUT, I took a minute and thought about how much we love chicken piccata, so why not try a Creamy Chicken Piccata. I decided to give it a shot.

The experiment paid off big time.  We LOVED this dish.  I made the sauce while the chicken was on the grill and just tossed it together – SIMPLE!  I marinated the chicken in some lemon and garlic so it would go with the sauce.  I took our usual piccata sauce and just added cream to it (well, I did half and half, but cream would be even better).  The chicken would be good just on its own, but the creamy lemon caper sauce just puts it over the top.  I love when a recipe comes together just like you pictured it in your mind!

Creamy Grilled Chicken Piccata
inspired by The Pioneer Woman
(Printable Recipe)

Chicken
Juice of 1 lemon (3Tbsp)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp basil or oregano
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta
2 cups dried penne pasta
2 Tbsp butter
Juice of 2 lemons (6 Tbsp)
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
2 tsp dried basil
2 Tbps capers
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Chicken
Combine first 6 ingredients and mix well.  Place chicken in a ziplock bag and pour marinade over chicken.  Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.  When ready, grill until done.  Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes and then slice into strips to serve over pasta.

Pasta
While chicken is grilling.  Cook pasta according to directions (10-12 minutes).  Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.  In same sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.  Whisk in garlic and lemon juice.  Pour in half and half and whisk until hot.  Add some salt and pepper to taste.  Add the parmesan cheese, basil and capers, and heat until cheese is melted.  Check the consistency of the sauce and add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary.  Toss in pasta.

Serve in pasta bowls with grilled chicken on top.  Sprinkle with more parmesan if desired.

c/o Lush: fresh handmade cosmetics

Italian nougat inspired, this soap is nothing less then wonderful.  Handmade and natural, the Noubar is made with chopped nuts that  exfoliate your skin and gives the soap a scrubby texture.  If you are allergic to nuts, it goes without saying… this soap is not for you.  But if you are NOT allergic, then you must try it!  Lush Noubar soap is A-MA-ZING.  It leaves your skin clean and super soft!